An explosion at a chemical plant in Ohio injured three individuals, with one person experiencing life-threatening burns. All three injured people are expected to survive. The “tragic industrial accident” occurred at Royal Chemical Company in Macedonia late Wednesday morning. “Officials says workers were in the process of loading a tanker truck with sodium hydroxide, when the truck exploded, ripping the tanker in half,” Cleveland 19 News reports. “We know it involves sodium hydroxide,” Macedonia Fire Chief Brian Ripley told reporters, according to FOX 8. “We’re not exactly sure what happened yet,” he added. The cause of the blast is under investigation. BREAKING: OHIO CHEMICAL EXPLOSION INJURES 3 Three people were injured, one critically, after a chemical explosion at the Royal Chemical in Macedonia. First responders found a torn tanker truck leaking liquid. Sodium hydroxide reportedly leaked into a nearby creek. Summit… pic.twitter.com/tpCthXaN57 — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 15, 2024 FOX 8 reports: Sodium hydroxide is a caustic chemical made of solid white crystals, which can burn eyes and skin, according to the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety. Ripley said the tanker truck that exploded was parked next to two others outside the building, while it was being loaded. The driver of the truck parked in between the two others and was “sprayed with product,” suffering “critical, life-threatening burns” and was transported to a Cleveland hospital, he said. Another person, a worker at the plant who ran inside after the explosion, was transported to the same hospital with “critical but non-life-threatening” injuries, Ripley said. Officials later learned the driver of the truck that exploded was also injured. He was being evaluated Wednesday afternoon, he said. In an update Wednesday afternoon, officials said all three people injured are expected to survive. Both of the company’s buildings were evacuated. Footage sent back from SkyFOX showed a truck whose tank appeared to have been ripped open. Ripley said half of the tank ended up inside the building. Roads Closed Following Chemical Plant Explosion In Northeast Ohio https://t.co/f4pLwcjdZZ — NewsTalk 1490 WERE (@newstalk1490) May 15, 2024 Cleveland 19 News reported that Royal Chemical has a history of violations. Per Cleveland 19 News: Between 2017 to 2019, records show the EPA found Royal “failed to submit pesticide reports.” These violations were then corrected, and the company received a formal warning. Between 2013 to 2016, OSHA found Royal Chemical failed to properly train workers on how to use respiratory protection. The issues were subsequently resolved, and no fines were issued. Between 2013 and 2019, OSHA cited the company for not giving face mask fit tests to employees who were required to wear these masks for protection from hazardous substances. The issues were corrected, and no penalty was given. Then in 2022, Royal was fined $4,930.80 when OSHA found a forklift in need of serious brake and pedal repairs. Reports show the lift truck was still in service, exposing employees to potential hazards. The company specializes in transporting chemicals from its plant. “Ripley said fire officials believed some of the chemical was released into a small creek on the east side of the Royal Chemical facility, but officials later confirmed that the waterways haven’t been affected,” FOX 8 noted. Concerned residents reportedly contacted Mayor Nick Molnar’s office and he said the area was safe. “The people that live in our community are safe. There’s nothing in the air at this point that anyone should be concerned about. Anyone living in this area or traveling through should know you are safe,” he said. How can they be certain? Ripley said the company contracted its own cleanup crew. Residents should take precautions they decide are best for them and their families.

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) has launched an investigation after a zip lock bag containing a small amount of a white powdery substance, which tested positive for cocaine, was found inside its headquarters. “Currently Capitol Police are investigating a roughly one-inch by one-inch ziplock bag containing a small amount of a white powdery substance, which has tested positive for cocaine. The bag was discovered on the floor of a hallway inside the USCP headquarters, specifically on the second floor, an area designated as a staging spot for furniture and supplies,” Rawsalerts wrote. “Officials note that this area is heavily trafficked by various contractors and employees, and the baggie was found in the middle of the floor USCP Investigations Division has opened an investigation which will include further testing including DNA testing of the baggie,” the post added. #BREAKING: Capitol Police are investigating after a bag with cocaine with residue was found on the floor inside United States Capitol Police headquarters #Washington | #DC Currently Capitol Police are investigating a roughly one-inch by one-inch ziplock bag containing a… pic.twitter.com/6Bbf9UgH5J — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) May 15, 2024 From the United States Capitol Police: The small bag was found on the floor of a hallway inside USCP headquarters. The hallway is on the second floor in an area that has been a staging spot for furniture and supplies. The area is heavily trafficked by various contractors and employees. It is also near offices such as Prisoner Processing, Crime Scene, Intel and Reports Processing. The baggie was found in the middle of the floor just before 1:00 p.m. by an officer, who immediately reported it to a supervisor. The residue was field tested and came back positive for cocaine. The USCP Investigations Division has opened an investigation, which will include further testing, including DNA testing of the baggie. We will provide more information when it becomes available. US Capitol Police are investigating a one-inch plastic bacg with cocaine residue that was found on the floor inside the US Capitol Police Headquarters.It was found in a 2nd floor hallway "in an area that has been a staging area for furniture and supplies." pic.twitter.com/7tNxQlyLPN — Spencer Allan Brooks (@SpencerSays) May 15, 2024 Please see our latest news release. USCP Drug Investigation: https://t.co/w5deMqiWS9 pic.twitter.com/rtD9YBSpMA — The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) May 15, 2024 From the New York Post: Capitol Police’s Investigations Division is investigating the matter, including searching for DNA evidence that could sniff out a culprit. USCP headquarters is located on D Street Northeast, on the same block as two Senate office buildings and blocks from Union Station. The latest drug discovery came just over 10 months after cocaine mysteriously appeared at the White House. On July 2, Secret Service agents discovered a small baggie of white powder in a West Wing storage locker, feet away from the Situation Room and one floor below the Oval Office. That discovery prompted an 11-day investigation that the Secret Service wrapped up without naming a suspect. In closing the case, the protective agency cited “a lack of physical evidence” after tests yielded no fingerprints and insufficient DNA. Because so much sensitive material passes through the area, no cameras are focused there — and were thus unable to pick up footage of the culprit depositing the white, powdery substance in one of the 182 lockers in a vestibule, a source familiar with the investigation told The Post at the time.

A school principal was arrested on May 11th after choking and whipping a young student with a belt. He also slapped the child in the face, which was all recorded on a surveillance video.